Oregon Safety Khalil Oliver Transferring To Missouri

Even with National Signing Day over with, the graduate transfers will never stop coming in and at a good time for Missouri. Oregon safety Khalil Oliver announced his decision to transfer to Missouri after two years at Eugene. Oliver played in 22 games putting up 73 total tackles and only two interceptions before injuring his knee and ending his 2017 season. As a graduate transfer, Oliver will be eligible to play immediately and have one year left unless he is granted a medical hardship.

Barry Odom has two senior safeties leaving and most likely two juniors to take their place and mixing Oliver’s stats in could help improve total tackles in the backfield. It leaves Kaleb Prewett as the leading safety in total tackles in 2018 as he was fourth on the team. Oliver was most likely becoming a star in the safety spot as he was seventh in total tackles for the Ducks and had the chance to play for Willie Taggart before injuring his knee. With Odom a defensive mind, he could get to play a full season.

There are no safeties signed to the 2018 class, which will leave a total of nine on roster including Oliver. The freshman and sophomores saw limited action in 2017 and could continue to be limited once Oliver gets into form as he did with Oregon. Missouri was seventh in the SEC in total tackles, and third in the conference in interceptions which could give Oliver a break though year if it turns out to be his last. With only seven of the top ten tacklers returning, there could be an opening for him.

Even with a 7-6 record after a miraculous run, they cannot rest easy with the staff restructuring. While he is still coaching secondaries, new defensive coordinator Ryan Walters will have a new challenge to put Oliver in the mix and get him active as quickly as possible.